Hollywood star Heath Ledger ’s friends, family and colleagues have shared their memories for a brand new documentary featuring never before seen footage of the late actor.

I Am Heath Ledger, which premieres later this month, explores the Australian’s glittering career and off camera passions with contributions from the likes of his sister Kate Ledger and Oscar winning director Ang Lee.

“Even as a supporting actor he will steal the whole show,” said Ang, who directed Heath in 2006 film Brokeback Mountain.

“That’s the power of Heath Ledger.”

I Am Heath Ledger examines the star's life (Image: Spike TV)

Rare footage shows the star playing guitar (Image: Spike TV)

And on the subject of stealing the show, his sister Kate explains how she knew Heath would be Oscar nominated for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight, but humble Heath just shrugged it off.

Recalling seeing his performance, Kate said she told Heath: “This is taking it to the next level. Like, you’re going to be nominated for this. I’m telling you right now. And he just smiled.”

Heath was posthumously awarded the Best Supporting Actor prize at the Academy Awards in 2009; he had died the previous year from an accidental prescription drugs overdose.

Heath had a glittering screen career (Image: Spike TV)

The actor won an Oscar after his death (Image: Spike TV)

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The documentary, made by Spike TV, delves into Heath’s love of photography and film, and how he was always a passionate and exciting person to be around.

Its first trailer was released on April 4, which would have been Heath's 38th birthday.

“Heath was the most alive human and if it wasn’t on the edge it didn’t interest him,” said friend Ben Harper.

Another friend, Christina Cauchi, added: “There were always cameras around. A video camera, a polaroid camera, a film camera. It’s the only way I think of him, with the camera in his hand.”

“He was always a director,” agreed pal Trevor DiCarlo. “Acting was just the way to get there.”

It features footage shot by Heath himself (Image: Spike TV)

The film has contributions from friends, family and colleagues (Image: Spike TV)

The film looks at some of Heath’s most famous roles, including Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain.

“Before Brokeback Mountain it would have been unthinkable to have a romantic tragedy involving two gay cowboys,” said actor Ben Mendelsohn.

“This is one of the biggest heartthrobs on earth taking on that character; that’s an artist.”

But it seems Heath’s mesmerising performances on screen could never have happened, as agent Steve Alexander revealed: “He kind of almost pulled out of every movie he ended up doing.”

Heath passed away in 2008 (Image: Spike TV)

He was passionate about photography and film (Image: Spike TV)

As well as examining Heath’s successful career, the documentary hints that his darker side of his life will also feature.

“He wanted fame and when he got it it didn’t want it,” said filmmaker Matt Amato.

The actor's ex girlfriend Naomi Watts is also believed to have filmed a segment for the documentary but she does not appear in the first trailer.

Heath was 28 years old when he was found dead at a Manhattan, New York apartment in January 2008. He left behind daughter Matilda, then two, with ex-girlfriend, actress Michelle Williams.

Heath's death was due to an accidental prescription drugs overdose (Image: All Star)

His cause of death was an accidental prescription drugs overdose, with six different substances detected included painkillers and anti-anxiety medication.

New York’s medical examiner’s office said: "What you're looking at here is the cumulative effects of these medications together."

Heath’s father Kim Ledger reacted to the news by saying: "While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage."